In Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece, fresh protests erupted on Wednesday in response to the fatal shooting of a Roma youth during a weekend confrontation with the police following a car chase.
In the Greek capital, Roma youths briefly closed a main highway, setting fires and pelting stones at police, causing a temporary disruption to traffic. Similar unrest unfolded in a Roma-majority area on the outskirts of Athens. In Thessaloniki, clashes ensued between youths and the police following a protest march organized by far-left groups.
No arrests or injuries were reported during these incidents, although similar protests occurred in the preceding days.
A police officer has been charged with the intentional homicide of the 17-year-old Roma boy who was fatally shot late Saturday. The shooting occurred after a prolonged, high-speed car chase initiated when a vehicle carrying four Roma youths refused to stop for a police check and sped away. The fatal shooting of the 17-year-old driver took place under unclear circumstances when the car eventually stopped near Thebes, northwest of Athens, with an officer arriving on the scene.
The unidentified officer involved has been suspended as of Wednesday, according to police statements.
